Women's World Cup 2017 - The Dependables

That women's cricket has come a long way and no longer can be sharp-elbowed from attention is evidenced by the fact that even the warm-up games, largely seen as a precursor to the World Cup, have been covered and followed vividly across the cricketing circles. The 50-over format will see eight teams face off in a month-long tournament in a bid to establish the ultimate supremacy over each other. Unsurprisingly, these teams are stacked up with some big, promising names who can turn the match on its head. Here is a list of ten wonder-women who will go a long way in determining the fate of their respective teams in the event, be it with the bat or ball, or both.

Batters

Mithali Raj (India)

For as long as one can remember, she has been the flag bearer of Indian women's cricket. Raj enters the tournament on the back of an envious form. Having scored six fifties in a row, she is just 212 runs away from becoming the highest run-scorer in ODI history. Given how she has performed in the warm-ups, it won't come as a surprise if the Indian veteran reaches the pinnacle through the course of the tournament. Apart from her batting, Raj's captaincy too will be the key to India's run in the event. Only recently she became just the third player in women's cricket history to lead her country in 100-plus ODIs, and in her fifth appearance in World Cups, this will be her third stint as India captain.

Amy Satterthwaite (New Zealand)

Amy Satterthwaite's all-round skills make here one of the most potent names in the White Ferns' side. Her tall built aids her bowling but she will be someone to watch out for with the bat as well. Satterthwaite recently hit the headlines for hitting four ODI centuries in a row, equalling Kumar Sangakkara's record. Since September 2014, only two players have scored more runs than the 30-year-old in this format. Even though New Zealand don't use her services with the ball in every single game, she can prove to be quite a handful, picking up a wicket almost every game on an average. She has been involved with Lancashire Women of late and will hope that her experience of English conditions help her tee right from the start.

Suzie Bates (New Zealand)

Limited-overs cricket rewards players with dual skills, which is why New Zealand are being seen as one of the top contenders this time around. In captain Suzie Bates they have a formidable batting all-rounder. Bates has scored the second most runs in ODI cricket since September 2014, which defines her consistency. She recently became the first woman cricketer to win both the ICC Women's ODI and T20I Player of the Year awards. Bates certainly has been leading by example as she also regularly chips in with the ball, picking up 72 wickets so far in her career. Come 24th June when New Zealand face Sri Lanka in their opening game, Bates would hope to get the launchpad against a relatively modest team.

Meg Lanning (Australia)

At 25, Meg Lanning, known for her aggressive batting up the order is the youngest of all the names mentioned so far. She is the number one ranked batter in the world in this format and in the ODI championship, she was the only player to breach the 1000-run mark. She has a stunning average of 52 to go with a strike rate of 96, which will make her the top target for every single opposition.

In the three-match ODI series against New Zealand in March, she aggregated 163 runs including a match-winning century in the decider. Australia are the defending champions and with Lanning in such devastating form, there is no reason why they cannot be touted the favourites once again.

Stafanie Taylor (Windies)

The importance that Stafanie Taylor has in the Windies batting was testified when the middle order crumbled, in her absence, against South Africa in the warm-up tie. With the World T20 Champions trying to prove a point in the 50-over event, captain Taylor's role becomes all the more important as she is the force that binds the team together. She is ranked fifth in the ODI rankings and has the penchant to step up in world tournaments as she showcased recently.

Taylor was the player of the tournament last year in the World T20 for scoring the most number of runs. During the previous ODI World Cup in 2013, she smashed 171 in a game against Sri Lanka, which is the fourth highest score ever in the format.

In the three years since her ODI debut, the 27-year-old South African has made an indelible mark in the limited-overs arena with her impeccable batting and bowling prowess. Ranked one on the ICC bowler rankings, Kapp's seam-ups have proved to be vital for the Protea Women and in the seamer-friendly conditions of England, her bowling would come in more than handy. As South Africa's ace bowler with 75 ODI wickets under her belt, Kapp has been a proven strike bowler for her side. With her rising stocks as a death bowler, Kapp's name will be discussed heavily in the opponents' drawing board meetings.

Jhulan Goswami (India)

Having overtaken Cathryn Fitzpatrick in the recently concluded quadrangular series in South Africa, Jhulan Goswami is now the leading wicket-taker in the history of women's ODI cricket. The 34-year-old pace bowling spearhead will pose to be a thorn in the eye of the opponents, yet again. While Goswami has been around for a long time and the opponents would have seen a fair bit of her armoury, the fact that she still continues to lead India's bowling attack is an indication of her control over the trade. In what could be her last shot at the global glory, Goswami would leave no stone unturned in putting India ahead in the race.

Anya Shrubsole (England)

She is England's Jhulan Goswami, or in other words, is the spearhead of England's bowling attack. With a brilliant inswinger and superior understanding of the English conditions, much of the hosts' fate would rest on the right-armer's performance. Teaming up with Heather Knight and Katherine Brunt, Shrubsole (24 wickets) catapulted the English fortunes to direct qualification with a strong show in the ODI Championship. With five wickets from two warm-up games, Shrubsole is already in fine form and would be a force to reckon with.

Jess Jonassen (Australia)

While all teams would be looking forward to utilise their pace bowling resources, Australia also pose a different threat in the form of Jess Jonassen. Her slow left-armers saw her shoot to the top of the bowlers' list during the two-year long ODI Championship. With 31 wickets from 21 games, Jonassen saw Australia through to the mega event. She picked up six wickets in the two warm-up games and her recent form shall hold her in good stead as Australia look to maintain their stronghold in the global arena.

Ellyse Perry (Australia)

Ellyse Perry has been making news for all the right reasons since her debut about 10 years ago. She was the youngest Australian to play international cricket and since then has only grown in stature. Averaging above 47 with the bat in 83 ODIs and with 113 wickets, she is the all-rounder that strengthens the trunk of the Aussie line-up. While she got the opportunity to bat in just one warm-up game against South Africa, she sent a stern message through to teams with a 76-ball 67. Her 23 wickets in the ODI Championship was one of the major contributing factors to Australia's comfortable climb.